It was yesterday announced by the camp of Ricky Burns that three-time world champion Juan Manuel Marquez had left the division and moved to welterweight, therefore Burns is now WBO lightweight world champion.

However, Marquez said he has been talking to WBO President Francisco Valcarcel and been assured that the WBO lightweight “super” world championship title remains with him.

Michael Bisping Evans, UFC middleweight: “I know some fans are disappointed that there hasn’t been eight weeks of zingers between us and, to be honest, I think we would have got into it if this fight had been made two months ago. But right now, both of us had to focus on getting ready for a new opponent – and in his case a more dangerous opponent in me – on a week’s notice. I never talk trash unless someone has disrespected me and, to be honest, Chael has been very complimentary of me.

Chael and I have thrown a few little jokes here and there but that’s because we’ve both got a sense of humor. And he’ll need that sense of humor after he goes to the hospital on Saturday night just like seven of my last eight opponents have. I am under no illusions – I am getting kicked, punched, elbowed and taken down by Chael but he’s getting punched, kicked, kneed, elbowed and knocked out in return. It will be a nasty, nasty war, but I’m beating him up and winning this fight. I am sure I will be taken down, but he’s going to have to worry about being submitted each time he does that. He won’t be able to hold me down and I know I can pick him apart standing.

“It is a great fight, I am sure we are both going to look like car-crash victims on Sunday AM. Never mind the trashtalk, we can both do that in our sleep, just tune in on FOX and watch the fight of the year. I may have only been told about this fight last Tuesday, but I have trained my arse off since I was eight years old. I am going to make the oddsmakers look like fools; I am winning this fight.”

Rashad Evans, UFC light heavyweight: “Davis is intimidated. I’ve seen him around and he’s not looking too confident. He’s not ready for this level, and he knows it. He’s coming to put up a good show, go back down a level, and come back again in a year or two. He’s not coming to take it to me, but I am gonna’ take it to him. After I had my year off (with injury) I came back with the attitude of never, ever leaving it up to the judges and just throwing hands all the time. That’s the way my career is going to go, and that’s how I am going to.

Phil is just a nice guy. He’s not a fighter. He’s an athlete, a great athlete, but not a fighter. He has no killer instinct for this and he’s got no experience at this level. He’s never fought at heavyweight like I had to (in TUF 2) to get into the UFC. He didn’t get punched by Chuck Liddell and Rampage Jackson like I did. He’s not had to dig deep at all.

He’s in deep water, and I’m the shark.”

Phil Davis, UFC light heavyweight: “He’s delusional. If he thinks he’s going to out-wrestle or intimidate me, he’s in for a shock on Saturday night. I’ve been working hard for this; I can’t wait to get back into the Octagon after a layoff. He’s not as good as he thinks he is, and I am better than he thinks I am. He thinks he’s a better wrestler than me, crazy. I would beat him 100 times out of 100. He was something like .500 in won/losses in wrestling. I was a champion; he just competed.

“Yes, I have only nine pro MMA fights but the inexperience thing isn’t an issue. I am less experienced than every single guy I’ve faced, and I am unbeaten. I am experienced at winning, and that’s what really matters, and I’m going to experience winning again on FOX.”

WBA Junior Middleweight champion Miguel Angel Cotto as told various sections of the media that any fight with Manny Pacquiao would have to be above the catchweight limit they last fought at.

Miguel went on to say "He (Pacquiao) had no problems with Antonio Margrito at 150, he hasnt had problems with anyone regarding weight, with Joshua Clottey they fought at 147, I drove down to 145. If there is a rematch then i am going to do it at my weight, I will not sacrifice my body again for the benefit of another boxer, It wont happen at 147Ibs"

"We are waiting for an offer to come and dicatate ourselves to train and win, In the next couple of weeks we hope to have a response on the whole thing"

Cotto is now in a strong position at the moment with both Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather waiting in the wings for a match up with the Puerto Rican "With the correct preparation we would have no problem with any fighter, This is not a deadline but we are waiting, It will come. What Pacquiao says about the weight, I do not care, They say that money talks but we will see what happens"

Andre Berto (28-1, 22KOs) nears the conclussion of his training camp at Ten Goose Boxing Gym in Van Nuys, California with only two weeks to go before the much anticipated rematch with “Vicious” Victor Ortiz (29-3-2, 22KOs), Berto looked focused and ready for his chance at revenge.

“Training camp has been pretty good for this fight the most important thing is to make sure my health is good,” Berto told Fightnews.com “I didn’t implement my game plan like it needed to be, physically I wasn’t where I needed to be,” Berto said on his conditioning.

To make sure that is not an issue in the rematch Berto acquired the services of strength and conditioning coach, Victor Conte after his loss to Ortiz. Conte the former BALCO founder has also been working with current Jr. Featherweight and former WBC /WBO Bantamweight Champion Nonito Donaire.

“Victor has pushed me very well in preparation I feel great with my strength and I am on target with my weight.”

After his loss to Ortiz, Berto moved on and returned to the ring in September taking on then IBF Welterweight champion Slovenia’s Jan Zaveck. Berto would win a tough fight by fifth round TKO, capturing his second world title and become the IBF Welterweight champion.

Acquiring the rematch was costly for Berto as he vacated the IBF Welterweight title to get the fight with Victor Ortiz.

“I expect the same Victor Ortiz I don’t think he can switch up and be versatile I think his natural attribute is to come forward and get you,” Berto said.

Interestingly Berto has brought in Middleweights Fernando Guerrero (22-1, 17KOs) and 2008 Bahamian Olympian Taureano Johnson (5-0, 5KOs) in preparation for this fight.

“I brought these two guys because both are big southpaws that can punch and bring pressure,” Berto said.

Berto and Ortiz fought in a 2011 Fight of the Year Candidate, as both traded punches and knockdowns from the opening to final bell. With only two weeks to go Berto and many others anticipate a tough exciting fight as the first time around.

“I am in shape now and I have put in hard work in training camp. Fight night I am ready to go, it's going to be exciting I have an explosive style he has an explosive style,” - Photo: Gene Blevins – Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

In a stunning announcement yesterday evening Amir Khan, through his promoter Golden Boy Promotions, withdrew his protest with the IBF ending his efforts to force an immediate rematch against World Champion, Lamont Peterson. The Peterson team aggressively responded with sound and factual supporting documentation to each of the various accusations which Khan used to dispute his loss of the World Championship to Peterson. This also included an unfounded allegation that a “mystery man” at ringside affected the outcome of the bout.

Other allegations by Khan were against the referee’s actions during the bout and the calculation of the scorecards by the judges as part of the reason he was declared the loser of the bout. Khan and Golden Boy vigorously used the media in efforts to further advance their argument, while Team Peterson responded with the facts and remained firm that they would not permit these tactics to detract from the Jr. Welterweight World Championship Lamont earned in the ring.

“We are extremely pleased that Golden Boy and Amir Khan withdrew their protest with the IBF. As we have said all along, we were not going to be forced to make a decision by one person or entity and we will continue to do what is in the best interest of Lamont Peterson,” said Barry Hunter the Manager and Trainer of Lamont Peterson.

“The Peterson team continuously responded to each of Khan’s accusations and the absurdity of the claims. Our reply addressed the rules and also Khan’s inability to make adjustments and his performance in the ring, as opposed to placing blame on almost everyone associated with the bout,” added Hunter.

Team Peterson feels this development serves as a form of vindication as it relates to the ruling of the IBF that Lamont is the IBF Junior Welterweight Champion of the World. Furthermore, this ruling essentially turns back the clock to December 11th and provides a number of options for Lamont to explore as he continues his professional boxing career. Although rumors have surfaced that we are now in negotiations for a Peterson vs. Kahn rematch in Washington DC, at this time there are no open negotiations for this bout. The Peterson team’s focus is on the WBA’s decision mandating an immediate rematch. A comprehensive written appeal has been submitted to the WBA and we are confident that the WBA will overturn its decision mandating an immediate rematch and recognize Lamont Peterson as the true and final WBA Jr. Welterweight World Champion.

“We have an open mind and look forward to Lamont’s first title defense. We will discuss internally and assess every viable opportunity available. We will then make the best decision possible for the future of Lamont and his family,” Hunter stated.

Over the past month there has been an overwhelming amount of interest garnered with respect to the outcome of the championship bout; however, what is consistent is the appreciation from fans across the world in support of Lamont’s efforts as a fighter and the true World Champion.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the fans for all the positive things that I’ve read over the internet and messages received via twitter@kingpete26. I truly did not know how much support I had all over the world,” said Peterson. “Now that this is over I am ready to move on. As I said before, as champion I plan on representing both sanctioning bodies to the best of ability and that means fighting the best fighters in the world in defending my titles.”

Due to the fact that there was only to be partial representation of fight officials who were involved with the December 10, 2011 Amir Khan vs. Lamont Peterson bout at tomorrow’s scheduled appeal hearing of the fight’s outcome before the International Boxing Federation (IBF), Golden Boy Promotions and Team Khan have decided to withdraw their appeal and focus their full attention on Amir’s next fight.

WBO featherweight champion Orlando “Siri” Salido (37-11-2, 25 KOs) and former WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez (31-1, 28 KOs) hosted a news conference today to officially to announce their world featherweight championship rematch. Lopez-Salido II will take place March 10 and will be televised live from Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, P.R. on SHOWTIME.

“I expect a very different fight. I know he will be better then last time,” said Salido. “But I don’t see him changing much. He might try in the beginning to fight in a different style but he will come back to his strengths. He is going to feel that he is the better and stronger man, and that he is not. I want to show that my first win was not a fluke. I came back to fight in Puerto Rico because he gave the opportunity to me to fight for a world championship here and I have never had any problem winning in an opponents’ home base.”

“I am very happy to have the opportunity to fight in the Roberto Clemente Coliseum where my idol Tito Trinidad had so many fights and this is a dream come true for me,” commented Juanma. I want to thank Salido for coming back to Puerto Rico and giving me this opportunity. I knew Salido was a tough fighter and he came prepared and beat me and I offered no excuses. This fight is the most Important of my career and I will train very hard to regain my title.”

On changes he will make in this fight:

“We will make changes for this fight like all fights. But I don’t want to give too many specifics. Most importantly against Salido I have to be intelligent inside the ring. I don’t see him changing at all. He won his first fight with me and I’ve seen his last two fights before that. He’s going to fight the same style. You have to be smart and use your boxing skills. That is the only way to beat Salido. I learned that in our first fight.” - Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

Marco Huck (34-1, 25 KOs) believes his speed will be the key to victory when he takes on Alexander Povetkin (23-0, 16 KOs) when they clash in Stuttgart on February 25 for the WBA Heavyweight Championship. “I want to write boxing history and become the first German heavyweight champion since Max Schmeling,” Huck said at today´s press conference in Stuttgart. “Povetkin is a very strong opponent, he has won everything as an amateur and now is the world champion. But I know I can beat him. I have trained hard. I am much faster than him.” Huck's coach Ulli Wegner went on to say “This is a very special fight that means a lot to everybody. We fancy our chances. One thing is clear, though. Marco can only win if he will be faster than Povetkin.”

Povetkin, who stopped American veteran Cedric Boswell in his first defence last month, expects a hard fight. “I have a lot of respect for Huck,” he stated. “He is fast, tough and very aggressive. I will be prepared for his speed. I will enter the ring in top shape and defend my title.”

Amir Khan has been granted an "immediate rematch" with Lamont Peterson by the WBA following his controversial loss.

Khan lost a spilt decision - as well as his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles - to the American in Washington in December.

However, the fight was dogged in controversy with Khan docked two points for pushing by referee Joe Cooper, while a "mystery man" - later identified to be Mustafa Ameen - was seen at ringside appearing to handle the scorecards.

Khan also claims he was told he had won the fight only for the Peterson to be awarded the decision after a long wait for the result.

Khan's promotional team Golden Boy had appealed the decision to both the WBA and IBF - wanting the bout to be declared a "no-contest" and for a rematch to be ordered.

The WBA have made the first move by agreeing to a rematch, with the IBF - to whom Ameen is affiliated - will make a decision next week.

Golden Boy Promotions' Richard Schaefer, who represents Khan, told ESPN.com: "The WBA ordered an immediate rematch. I'm thrilled that he's getting one and hope we can start the negotiations and get the fight done.

"Amir and Lamont are both terrific young men and athletes who fought their hearts out in Washington in December and I'm sure this decision will get applause by fight fans around the world.

"The rematch will be one of the most anticipate fights of 2012 because both guys are exciting, young and I think it's exactly the kind of fight people want to see."

Manny Pacquiao's camp say its unlikely that he will fight Floyd Mayweather on May 5 despite Floyd's comments on the social networking site Twitter.

Pacquiao's adviser Michael Koncz has said that there is not yet a venue big enough in Las Vegas to make economic sense for such a big fight. "Why would I tell Manny to fight on the 5th and throw away a percentage of 30 million? That's crazy,"

Promoter Bob Arum said that the fight  "could happen very, very easily" at the end of May once an outdoor arena which is under construction has been completed. It is planned to hold 45,000 fans. He also confirmed that there is not an issue about the purse as long as Mayweather will accept a 50-50 split

Manny Pacquiao could decide today or tomorrow whether he will fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 5th — this is according to Manny’s trainer. Freddie Roach just told TMZ Manny and promoter Bob Arum are in the Philippines, figuring out if they can put off several deals to fight other boxers … to clear the decks for a Mayweather fight in May. Roach is scoffing at Mayweather’s tweet, in which he calls Pacquiao a “punk,” saying, “He should look in the mirror. He’s been ducking us for 2 years.”

As for what weight class Pacquiao will fight Mayweather … Roach said 147 lbs — that’s the upper limit of welterweight. Of course, even if Pacquiao can rearrange his schedule, both sides have to agree on a financial deal. Roach says, “We’ll do it on even terms.”

At this point in time the IBF has decided to break its silence and provide some clarification on the matter of Mr. Mustafa Ameen’s presence at the IBF/WBA championship bout between Amir Khan and Lamont Peterson. Initially, the organization chose not to publicly address this matter to preserve the integrity of the hearing scheduled for the appeal filed by Golden Boy promotions on the ruling of the aforementioned bout. The sole purpose in doing so was with the intentions that all parties, and most importantly, the panelists could go into this hearing with clear minds and no preconceptions or prejudices.

Mr. Mustafa Ameen does outreach work for the IBF’s SARB/Education Fund. This fund was initially created to financially assist retired professional boxers experiencing monetary difficulties. Shortly over a year ago, IBF President Daryl Peoples and Mr. Ameen agreed that he would network on behalf of the organization with the purpose of connecting with these fighters in order for the IBF to provide them with some financial assistance. Mr. Ameen’s role with the organization is limited to just this. He is not an employee or an official of the organization, nor does he receive any monetary compensation from the organization for his efforts.

WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko and challenger Dereck Chisora faced off today at the at The Landmark Hotel in London in advance of their championship clash on February 18th at the Olympiahalle in Munich, Germany.

Dereck Chisora: Everybody’s tired of you and your brother. There’s no excitement in the ring. It’s time for the new king. People want a new relief in boxing. Him and his brother have killed the sport I love. It is time for the new king, and that will be me come February 18.

Vitali Klitschko: Many people say the fights of the Klitschko brothers are boring. That’s because we win. We need to fight someone who can beat us. I think Dereck can do that. He beat Robert Helenius. He beat a future world champion. Can he beat the real world champion?

Mustafa Ameen, the mysterious "man in a hat" whose presence ringside at Amir Khan's bout against Lamont Peterson was highlighted by the British boxer last week as a possible factor in his controversial split-decision defeat, has insisted that he has "nothing to hide".

In an interview with The Las Vegas Boxing Examiner, Ameen said: "I've got nothing to hide. I'm not running or ducking or anything. I can discuss, without talking about the merits of what happened, I will just say that there's a lot of misinformation. I've been called a lot of names over the past several days and that attacks my credibility, attacks my reputation that I worked very hard on in all my years in boxing."

Amir Khan's trainer, Freddie Roach, said over the weekend that he knew Ameen. "He comes to my gym," Roach said. "He has no credentials; he's not a member of any boxing organisation. There's no reason for him to be at ringside. Why he was ringside and why he was in the ring afterwards celebrating and so forth I have no idea."

Ameen said he was bemused by this development. "Two days ago there was a mystery man involved. And then, 24 hours later the mystery man is Mustafa Ameen. I was identified," he said. "Nobody seemed to know who he was, yet 24 hours later, everybody in boxing, including the trainer of Amir Khan and everybody else said 'I know him'. But they didn't know me 24 hours prior."

Khan has appealed against his defeat to the IBF and WBA. The latter has already promised to order a rematch, while the IBF have scheduled a hearing for 18 January at which Ameen will appear.

"There's a formal hearing," Ameen said. "I am going to participate in the hearing and I'm not going to take the path that others have taken and state my case on the internet and in the media. I think it's important to let the facts be known and I don't want anybody crafting a defence based on something that someone wrote on the internet on what I said happened."

WBC super middleweight champion Andre Ward received his world title belt from WBC President Jose Sulaiman in Mexico City at Thursday. Ward won the Showtime super middleweights tournament by defeating Carl Froch by unanimous decision on December 17 in Atlantic City to unify the WBA/WBC titles. “I would like to be world champion in different divisions and I would face Julio Cesar Chávez,” said Ward. “The WBC title is important and a boxer’s dream to achieve. I admire Mexicans champion like Julio Cesar Chavez and Juan Manuel Marquez. I hope to keep this crown for a long time.” - Photo: Alma Montiel/WBC

Hall of Fame promoter Don Chargin, advisor for WBA light heavyweight World champion Beibut Shumenov, has responded to claims of Frank Warren Promotions that Shumenov turned down a unification offer to fight WBO titlist Nathan Cleverly.